Akagi: Unmatched to
This DayAkagi: the queen of the Japanese carriers. She
began life as a fast battle cruiser in 1922. After the Washington Treaty,
Akagi was rebuilt as a huge aircraft carrier. Akagi sported a 2 level
hangar deck, and could accommodate nearly 100 aircraft.She was extensively rebuilt in the 1930's with
a full length flight deck and her now famous strut supports on either end
of the flight deck; now a distinctly Japanese trait.A marked ship after Pearl Harbor, Akagi participated
in every carrier battle before Midway. On June 5, 1942 Akagi was destroyed
when bombs stacked in the hangar decks exploded after an American attack.
She sank the following day after the gasoline tanks exploded and sealed
her fate.Akagi's Specifications

Concept/Program:A pair of 47,000 ton battle cruisers (fast battleships)
canceled under the Washington Treaty and reordered as aircraft carriers,
equivalent to USSLexington & USS Saratoga and HMS Glorious &
HMS Courageous. One of the two ships was wrecked by an earthquake; the
other was completed as Japan's first large carrier, and saw extensive service.

Design/Conversion:Hull essentially unchanged, except armor was reduced.
Completely reworked from the main deck up, with dual level hangar. Had
short flying-off decks at the bow, opening directly from the hangars, in
addition to the main flight deck. Completed without an island. She mounted
a cruiser's gun armament, partially in turrets and partially in casemates.
The boilers exhausted through a starboard-side funnel, which was angled
downward. The short flying-off decks were nearly useless.

Modifications:A small island was installed on the starboard side
prior to reconstruction.

Modernization:Underwent a major reconstruction to remove the
forward flying decks and modernize the ship. The forward flying decks were
eliminated, the hangarsextended forward, and the main flight deck lengthened,
widened and strengthened. A port-side island was installed; the small starboard
island was removed. The gun armament was re-arranged and improved. Aircraft
arrangements were improved and there were general updates throughout.

Operational:Generally operated with semi-sister Kaga. Saw extensive
service as one of the primary Japanese carriers prior to and during WWII.